He believes his promoted side will survive in the Premier League – and will soon be challenging for a place in Europe.

Adkins, 47, has steered the Saints to two successive promotions and a return to top-flight football after they were saved from extinction by the late Swiss billionaire Markus Liebherr.

He said: “It’s a very positive future and we are very, very ambitious.

“We are not thinking of just getting enough points to stay up. We’ve got to drive on, strive to be the best, and Europe is obviously the goal. We can draw inspiration from Norwich and Swansea last season.

“Southampton ultimately have got to be in the division to get into Europe – and ultimately have the dream of winning the division.”

Saints’ ambitions have seen them capture Burnley striker Jay Rodriguez, 22, for a club record £6million this summer before landng Rangers captain Steven Davis, 27.

Clyne was out of contract at Selhurst Park but he will still command a fee because of his age. The two clubs are still in discussions over compensation and an independent tribunal will decide the fee if an agreement cannot be reached.

Adkins said there were more signings to come, adding: “It is fair to say we are going to need to bring another goalkeeper in as Bartosz Bialkowski did ever so well for us but didn’t play enough games.

“We’ve allowed him to move on to Notts County and will bring in another one, if not two goalkeepers, while we will be looking to bring in another couple of centre-halves as well.”